Improved railroad-switch



ROBERT v. JoNEs,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CANTON, OHIO.

IM PROVED RAI LROAD-SWITCH.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 56,060, dated July 3, 1866.

To all whom it may concern: y

Be it known that I, ROBERT V. JONES, of Canton, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have-invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Switches; andI do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the letters ot' reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

A represents the switch-frame, which is made of wood, of a suitable size and shape. This frame is set at right angles with the track and connected to said track by means of the switch-rod C. This rod is hingedto an upright lever, B,4which lever is pivoted to the frame A and extends slightly above the same. This lever B is attached to the center of a horizontal bar, E, as seen at which bar is connected to a curved upright, D, at the forward and rear portion ot' the frame A by means of two small arms, a a.

M represents a treadle which is secured to the lower ends of the curved uprights D D, and is used to work the switch. Upon the Vtop of the frame is a metallic case, F, within which is a pitnian, H, encircled by a spiral spring, K. The case is provided with a circular opening at each end to allow the pitujan to pass. This pitman is attached to the lever,

so that when the lever is thrown forward theV spring K is compressed around the pitman and against a metal piece, c, and will uncoil and throw the lever to its former place when l the hand is taken from the lever.

It is made the duty of the switch-tender in many places to leave the switch on the main track. A

It will be seen that by the device here described, should the switch-tender neglect his duty, the spring K will at all times throw the switch to its proper place. The treadle M is for the purpose of overcoming the power of the spring K whenever it is necessary to throw the switch on the side track.

In operating this device the man places his foot upon the treadle M and his hand on the upper end of lever B, then unlocks or throws the spring f to the side of the case to allow the pitman to pass and presses the treadle downward, at the same time throwing the le ver forward. When the switch is on the main track it is kept in the proper position by a small stud, b, directly at the rear end of the pitman H.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1,. The lever B, bar E, arms a a, crooked uprights D D, treadle M, and switch-rod G, arranged and used substantially as herein specified.

2. The pitman H and spring K, working in vthe case F, the same being locked by the spring f, with plate d and key g, said pitman being connected to the lever B, the whole being constructed, arranged, and operating in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

As evidence that I claim 'the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand'in the presence of Y two witnesses.

ROBERT V. JONES.

Witnesses J. J. CLARK, GEO. E. BALDWIN. 

